How to Make Everyday Healthy Choices

Living a healthy lifestyle is very important to me. Not only do I want to live a nice long life and have the energy I need to keep up with my young family, but I want to set a good example for my kids. If they see me turning to healthy choices, hopefully they will do the same now AND in the future. So, I always appreciate learning new tips I can use on our healthy living journey.

And that's why I was thrilled to be able to attend the John Hancock Vitality Marketplace event recently. This informative event focused on how to make healthy food choices which is something I try to do every day. Vitality isn't about taking things away, it's about making better choices and thanks to the interactive setup from John Hancock, I got a first hand look at a slew of healthy choice examples.

There were comparisons like a donut versus a banana smoothie...Both would be delicious, but the smoothie would help fuel my activity packed day, while the sugary donut would eventually leave me feeling sluggish or craving even more sugar. You can also make better choices when it comes to already healthy snack options like hummus. Instead of dipping pretzels in it, go with carrots. They're packed with nutrients and are just as tasty a partner for hummus.

Another tip...don't discount meal planning. You're more likely to make healthy choices when you have clean meals prepped and ready. My family always tends to eat better when we have a meal roadmap laid out for the week. The healthy make-ahead farro salad recipe that Chef Tom Colicchio shared at the event is definitely landing on our meal plan very soon. It's the kind of dish that's great cold or at room temperature. Tom proves that just because it's healthy, doesn't mean it's not fabulously flavorful.

Not only were we treated to delicious food stations like Tom's, which you could visit to get stamps to earn goodies like blenders, salad containers and stress balls, but there were exercise options as well. Now, I have to say that is something I did different than most of the attendees. I skipped the stair master and opted for the massage chair! I'd already had a workout that day so I felt like a restorative session was earned! Remember...rest is just as important as activity. All of these things...clean eating, exercise and relaxation combine to give you the balance you need to achieve a healthy lifestyle!